Choosing a package printing company starts with matching technology to the job. A 2024 global print forecast estimates packaging print exceeds US$500 billion annually. That scale hides major differences between short and long runs. Digital presses suit variable artwork, regional versions, and quantities below traditional plate-making thresholds. Flexographic printing often becomes more efficient for repeat orders and flexible films. Offset remains useful for detailed folding cartons and stable, larger runs.
Material changes the decision. Paperboard, coated paper, films, and aluminum laminates absorb ink differently. Ask for printed samples on the actual substrate. Not a similar one. A 2024 packaging outlook reports flexible packaging growing at roughly 4% annually through 2028. This growth increases demand for accurate ink control on thin films. Drying, adhesion, scuff resistance, and recycling requirements should be tested before approval. Short runs punish waste.
Color compliance needs written evidence. ISO 12647-2 supports process control for offset printing, while ISO 12647-6 addresses flexographic production. Request press proofs, measurement data, and the applicable color profile. A supplier should explain target values, tolerances, substrate conditions, and measurement lighting. Color drift is expensive. Reports on commercial print quality repeatedly identify rework and inconsistent color as major sources of production waste. Still, ISO compliance alone is not a guarantee. A perfect proof can fail after lamination, varnishing, or storage. I would require a production trial, although this adds time and cost. That uncomfortable step often reveals the real capability of a printer.
